Category: Blog Post

The story of Mary and Martha got me thinking recently. No, really! It has popped into my head multiple times!!! To take you back refer to Luke 10:38-42. To paraphrase, Martha welcomed Jesus into her home, and Mary sat at his feet listening to him. Martha was too busy, and was mad at Mary for not helping, she wanted Jesus to chastise Martha. Jesus told Martha that Mary was right where she was supposed to be. Some versions say she Mary has chosen “the good part”.

….as an aside I feel a kindred spirit to both of them, but let’s start with Martha…

I know EXACTLY what Martha was doing. (I am in tune with her from my many hostessing occasions.) She was tidying up the room Jesus was sitting in so he did not see the dirty clothes one of her children left on the couch, and she picked up the shoes left exactly where someone COULD potentially trip. THEN she was going into the kitchen thinking, —What except-able appetizer do I have to offer? The guacamole isn’t the freshest, I haven’t had time to make a dip yet and if so…do I have chips to go with it?  And of course DIRTY DISHES. They are everywhere and let’s not keep them SOOO visible to everyone else. (See I told ya I am totally in sync with Martha!)

I feel a strong pull all the time to BE the Mary though!

MY VERSION of Mary would be…I would like to think I am so busy right up until the main event. Then I am 2 minutes behind……………….coming………………..and THEN I sit still. Whew! Made it. –SIGH–Ahh, the good part! I am now a little out of breath during the intro, but present! Able to catch the majority. (At least I know Mary too on SOME level!)

Some adjectives for Martha include worried, anxious and distracted. Let’s not totally bag on the woman though. As a female in those times she kept a house that Jesus (and his entourage) felt like stopping in. They were friends, and he felt comfortable in her home, so she was doing something right. However, while Martha may have been the hostess with the most-est she was missing out on what Jesus had to say. What number of people can say they had Jesus come to there home and speak throughout the bible? That would be amazing! And what did he say? Oh, I was in the kitchen doing dishes and didn’t hear. —Are you kidding me??

Mary is described as calm, still and listening. The real Mary (not my version) did not run around until the last minute. She was right next to him, ready to hear what he had to say. She was listening, not distracted. Jesus said there is only one thing that is needed and  Mary made the right choice.

Moments of devotion to Jesus and his word are needed, they are necessary.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

John 6:63 (Jesus adds) The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

Why is God having this story pop into my head all the time? I think he is trying to tell me something! Are my priorities in order? Am I getting distracted away from God’s word? This one is hitting very close to home. I’m going to have to practice what I blog, the dishes will be there later. My “version of Mary” has some work to do! What Jesus has to say is what I need most!

Distracted + Worried + Not Present = missing out on Jesus

Calm/Still + Listening to/Reading God’s word = the Good Part/all I need

 

 

I am going to press “submit” now.

 

I lost a baby. It was a long time ago, but I can bring up the memories very easily, and usually end up sobbing. I am not sure if it was a boy or a girl, but I loved it so much. I knew in my head there was a possibility I could lose my baby. I wouldn’t let my husband tell anyone about the baby at the time….just in case. I thought I was prepared for a miscarriage, but I was not. I am still stunned by the physical and emotional pain I endured. It was horrible, gut wrenching. Definitely one of the worst experiences of my life, that very few people even know about. The world kept turning, my other children needed me, but I was in slow motion and hurting.

OH! You just had an early term miscarriage, that’s all. You didn’t really lose a child. …I know that is what some of you are thinking…

Nope. I did. Not just a child, MY child. It was growing in my belly and I had beautiful plans and dreams for my child. I had kisses and I love you’s just waiting to be planted. It is still so hard to “go” there. I still think about that baby 12-ish years later. It makes my heart hurt. I wonder…boy or girl? I wonder how my little one is doing in heaven and KNOW I will one day find out all about them.

Its hard being a mom sometimes. You love all your kiddos so much. You love them so much it hurts. I know several moms who have had more then 1 miscarriage and I can not fathom what a painful time that had to be for them.

So this is for Mom’s with such a FIERCE MOM LOVE that they are hurting. For Mom’s who have lost one or many of their babies before or after birth. Those Mom’s with children in the hospital, with children they seemingly and frustratingly can’t help.  Those hurting with silent hurts or those feeling overwhelmed and insecure. Exhausted with an infant, or exhausted with a teenager! Keep on keeping on. Keep on with your big love. Keep loving. Keep wiping up food dribbles and changing poopie diapers. Keep kissing boo-boo’s and packing nice lunches for school. It all matters, in whatever way we go about it. They need us, and we keep on.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not be weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Psalm 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

John 16:22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

I knew I wanted to write about this just thinking of Mother’s Day. I wanted to send out a few words of encouragement for all the mom’s out there.  Your children need you and love you so much. The risk is worth the reward. We don’t know all that God has planned, or what it all means yet, but we know he is good. Scanning the internet another mom mentioned this tip that I will pass along. There are many encouraging bible versus, and you can easily look up the topic on the internet to get lists of them. Write 5-10 of your favorites on index cards and keep them in your purse, etc…and READ THEM! After a period of time you will memorize them and be able to pull them into your mind when you get overwhelmed or are hurting. Know that you are not alone out there-we all have been there at one time or another. Trust and rely on GOD and he will carry you through to the other side.

Happy Mother’s Day. You have been blessed with the BEST job in the world. Keep on keeping on!

 

I was tired. With me at least, I get so tired I just want to cry.  A girl thing? dunno? I have learned through the years when this happens that nothing is actually wrong. Those moments when my husband presses me because I am bawling. At the time EVERYTHING is wrong and I just want to blame a long list of offenses. I am mad about the mess the kids made, or upset at all the cleaning that needs to be done. I am fed up with the dishwasher not working right. Why did someone leave the milk out???…again??? ….The reality is nothing is wrong, I am just tired. The answer….sleep. The next morning everything is right with the world again.

So when I came home from a school run exhausted I went straight to bed. I laid there, but could not cry. I could not sleep either–my head was churning with my to-do list. But my “woe is me drama” was kicking in. Had someone been there they may have had to listen and view my madness while I complained to myself about all my misfortunes. I must say I sounded ridiculous. (It was one of those moments I am glad I did not get on social media or talk to anyone-LOL!)  I looked out at the beautiful view from my window. I thought of my husband and how he got up a full 90 minutes before me. Why doesn’t he ever cry? He never lays there crying out about all the travesties of his life. No, he got up and went to work. He does it all the time. Does he deserve to come home to me like this? He probably had gone through 100 emails and 1 conference call before I had my coffee. Oh my gosh, why am I complaining so much when my life is so awesome?

I told myself to “SHUT UP and QUIT WHINING!”

(I said it out loud to me and my dog.)

I hit the “Pause” button so to speak.

I got a little more caffeine and plotted my day while dressing. I dare say I got a few things done too! My husband got home early from work that day unexpectedly. I met him with a smile, and we enjoyed some time together before school let out again, and kids were home. And finally, because we were both so tired that night, we both got some much needed sleep. The next day all the “drama” seemed trivial. I could see the blessings clearer.

The Bible states in Philippians 2:14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, and in James 5:9 Brothers, do not complain about one another, so that you may not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!

Complaining can be destructive. It can take away from our peace and joy, and leads to arguments and envy. God basically doesn’t like it. He would prefer we give our cares to him and not vent to the outside world.

Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

How differently things can be if we address life with a smile, with NO drama. Are we complaining to complain? What do we really have going so bad? And how are we projecting to the outside world when we complain all day? I have thought about how lovely the second half of that day was compared to what it could have been if I had not hit “pause” and brought my issues to God, and I am so glad I took the time to change my mindset to one of joy and thankfulness.

If you are feeling “grumbley” (as some versions of the bible put it), press the “PAUSE” button and STOP THE DRAMA! (Maybe don’t yell at your dog!) Bring your issues to GOD, and get on with your day with a thankful heart. ….And make sure to get a good night’s sleep!

I am going to press “submit” now.

She was the epitome of a Christian servant. I was impressed when I was around her. How did she do it so well, when I am such a scaredy-cat?! I know she had flaws, but in my mind she was doing exactly what she was supposed to. She was sticking up for Christ, teaching about Christ on a daily basis, and trying to live like all of us should strive to live. It did not surprise me how she reacted to a cancer diagnosis. She was already living everyday to the fullest. “Choosing Joy” became her motto, and instead of moping around and complaining-she did. Again, I know she had her days. Those moments when she was not acting like the shiny Facebook depiction we all like to portray to the outside world. Still, who would with Cancer! Think of the anger, the “why me?”, the worry over your children and husband, the pain-literal and physical. But she continued to put on a positive face, she continued to witness to the very end.

My husband and I attended her funeral this year. I have so many mixed emotions. This wife and mother of 3 was still in her thirties! I am so sad for her family. I know they miss her so bad it hurts. On the other hand, I am so glad for her. She isn’t hurting anymore. She is in bliss in heaven right now being God’s cheerleader.

I came home after the funeral emotionally charged, and I began to write…. Then my tablet went dead when I was almost done and I lost everything! It was late at night, and I was tired. I was frustrated, but felt I could come up with something when more well rested so I went to bed. It dawned on me the next morning that I didn’t even have any scripture in mind when I thought about this article, and maybe that was the missing ingredient. Then that night I only had a few minutes to read to my son so I went off our usual path and decided to pick a psalm. This is what I read to him: “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24

So this is the scripture that sums up my thoughts. Everyday is a gift. Everyday is beautiful because it is ours to live. I am so thankful for it. My friend lived her life rejoicing everyday. Whether we have a few more days or decades left on this earth we can make a conscious choice everyday how we will live. I will try everyday to choose JOY!

S.G. -thank you for your friendship, until I see you again I am choosing Joy. 😉

Keep it Simple Stupid -K.I.S.S. – A Christian Mom Blogging Keep it Simple Stupid -K.I.S.S. – A Christian Mom Blogging

Let’s talk about my blogging. It has spitted and sputtered. Confidence is not always on my side. I know what I want–I think–and then I second guess myself. I stop so I make sure everything is just right. I spoke with a friend about this and she asked me questions. She got me down to the ‘whys’ and the ‘hows’ of my blog, and had me do research. I had to look at all those other blogs from Christian Mom’s who blog so much better then me. They have more pictures then me, and lots of cool stuff on their sites. Do you know what? I’m okay with mine just the way it is. I came to the realization that I had everything in place, and that I just need to tweak a little, learn as I go, and start blogging again. All I am doing is wasting time. What a shame.

I am not following what I believe. Give it up to God for Pete’s sake! LOL, but really! Psalm 119:105  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. He will lead and light my path if I only let him.

Keep it simple stupid. K.I.S.S. The acronym is for anyone who is getting too caught up in the details and not keeping to the basics. I went to a “blogging tutorial” with a totally different approach, and felt confident in less is better (at least for me at this point in my life).

In a recent bible study we discussed John the Baptist.  He knew Jesus was the son of God before he was born. But when John was imprisoned he doubted and asked God–“Are you sure?” (Matthew 11:3) Why would he doubt something so tangible? If anyone KNEW Jesus is the Messiah it was John the Baptist, right? He had felt, seen, and lived it his entire life! And someone in the class mentioned that the devil was in that prison giving him doubts. Well there you go. (That was a moment for me personally!) The devil has a way of getting in our way–putting up road blocks, making us doubt our entire thought process, and getting us away from our original plan. Even when we know what we know, even when we feel sure we are on the right track, we still doubt.

So I will K.I.S.S. (or keep-it-simple-stupid) for now and find the path God is providing me. I will serve God with what I have right now. I will try to do this more often. I am just going to blog. A goal of mine is to maybe get better with every blog I write. (Ha-ha! Let’s hope!) More importantly however, is to follow God’s lead for me…to do his will. I can not be embarrassed by my doubt. Never in a million years would I have put myself in this spot, but I know he has his reasons. I can be amazed that he is using me in this way, and that he communicates with me at all. Pretty stinking cool. What an awesome blessing!

God is trying to talk to you, are you listening to what he has to say? Are you letting doubt stop you down?

Amy Grant has a great version of Psalm 119 (“Thy Word”) in a song if you would like to sing it all day…Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path….

Don’t let doubt stop you down. Keep it simple and follow the path God has put before you.